40 Grove Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two-storey/ three-bay dwelling facing south east with single-storey/ one-bay smithy attached to its north-east gable.

The coped gable roof of the dwelling has natural slates, a chimney on each gable and metal rainwater goods. Its walls are rendered rubble granite, painted white. There is an off-centre gabled porch (with recessed apex) to the main façade. There is a window to each bay on either side and two in line above; all are 2/2 sliding sash with exposed boxes and granite cills. On the rear wall is a 1/1 margin-paned sliding sash window to each bay on each floor.

Abutting the left gable of the house is a long lean-to shed with corrugated metal roof and dashed walls, of relatively recent date.

The smithy has a pitched gable roof with artificial slates, brick verges and end chimney; some slates are missing; there are no rainwater goods. Its walls are similar to those of the house. There is a broad-boarded door at left, with shuttered opening to right, on the façade. On the right gable is a cement-rendered shed with monopitched corrugated metal roof; there is also a small corrugated asbestos monopitched roof outshot (for bellows) on the end of its rear wall. On this rear wall is a fixed multi-paned window.

A small one-storey random rubble outhouse with gabled slate roof sits to the front left of the house. In a field across road to the right of the forge lies a large round granite hooping stone (formerly used to place iron rings on cartwheels).

Historical information

The smithy and house first appear in the Valuation Revision Book entry dated 1898, and then belonged to Bernard Killen. They appear together, indicating that both were erected at the same time. They are shown here on the 1900-01 OS 6” map.

Primary sources:
1. PRONI – VAL 12B/19/19D, p.52.
2. PRONI- OS 6/3/53/3 (1900-1 OS map).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

B. Proportion
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

The outward appearance, form and proportion of these vernacular buildings lend interest to the local landscape hereabouts; their visual impact is enhanced by their juxtaposition. The buildings also retain many of their internal features, particularly the forge. The latter, which is still in part-time use, is also of interest in that it was a focus for the local farming community for upwards of a century.